Electric switch



Oct. 9,- 1928.

1,686,852 c. w. GORMAN ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed April 2, 1925 Y I LI:'; E ./7 v l' -Lw y /4' /f Patented` Oct. 9, 1928.

UNiTEDfsT'ATEs CHARLES w. GORMAN, or mnsxoenn, OKLAHOMA; i

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Original application filed April 2, 1925,

i927. seriai'No 202,605.

nal adjustment thereof, so that the length of time which the traveling contact will remain engaged with the stationary contact means, may be varied as desired. The invention is intended primarily for usewith door operabing mechanisms, such as that shown-by the parent application above referred to. However, it is not restricted to this particular iield of use.

Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing, is a side elevation partly broken away and in section, showing a switch embodying my invention. y

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view as indicated by line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical transverse vsections on the correspondingly numbered lines of Fig. 1. v

In'the drawings above briefly described, the numeral 5 denotes an appropriate base upon which a metal plate 6 is secured, said base being'provided with appropriate bearings 7 in which the opposite ends of a screw 8 are rotatably mounted. Between these bearings, the plate 6 is formed with an opening' 9 which is preferably rectangular, and the ,upper side of the base 5 may well be provided with a shallow recess 10 registering with said opening. Rigidly held in the opening 9 and recess 10, is an insulating base 11 which carries parallel contact tracks 12 and `13. rPhe track 12 preferably consists of a single strip of metal snugly held in a groove 14 in the top of the base 11, while the track 13 consists of two slidably overlapped metal strips 15 and 16 whose overlapped portions are disposed in tight contact with each other, the base 11V being formed with grooves'la and 16a which receive said stripsrespectively. By Y this construction of the track 13, its length may be readily varied, by relatively sliding the strips 15 and 16. These strips may be held in adjusted position merely by rictional contact with each other and with the walls lot the grooves 15a- 16% or other provision could ybe madefor this purpose.

Wires 17 and 18 have been shown connected with the tracks 12 and. 13 respectively, and a traveling contacthasbeen shown, for bridging the gap between said tracks, so as to place saidwires in electrical communication with each other. The track-engaging portion of the traveling contact is denoted at 19, being in the form of almetallic membersuitably guided in an inverted channel-shaped shell V20,'which shell may be secured Vto an insulator 21, by appropriatey fasteners 22.v I havev Vshown this insulator, secured to a traveling member 23, by screws 24, said member 23 be-y ing engaged with the screw 8. Thus, as this vscrew is rotated in one directiony by means forming no part of the present invention, thel Contact member 19 will move in one direction along the trackage 12-13 and will bridge theA gap between the wires 17-18, while in engagement with both tracks. As soon however, as the member 19 leaves the end-of the track 13, the wires 17-18 will have their electrical connection with each other broken. By

adjusting vthe track 13 to Vone length or another, the contact member 19 will remain in engagement with saidtrack for a greater or a lesser time, as occasion may demand. Consequently, the length of time which the wires 17--18 shall be in electrical connection, may be readily controlled;

The invention is rather simple and inexpensive, yet will be eliicient, reliable and in every way desirable, for use lwith door-operating mechanisms or in other relations. As excellent results are obtainable from the de.- tails disclosed, they may beffollowed it desired. However, within the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

1. InA an electrical switch, a base, a contact strip thereon` a track on thebase parallel Ywith said strip, said track being formed of overlappingV longitudinally-adjustable stiipsr PATENT o'FFIci-z.

Serial No. 20,255. Divided and this application led `Tune 30,

Vholding said strips against sliding With respec-; to each other, said means however permitting such sliding when desired. Y Y

3. In anelectrical switch, a pair of over- 5 lapping' Contact strips having their overlapped portions disposed in Contact With each other, anda hase having grooves in Which said strips are received for longitudinal adjustment, said strips frictionally engagingl the Walls of the grooves and being thereby held '10 in adjusted position. l In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed Iny signature.

Y CHARLES vW. GORMAN. 

